The newest entry in Microsoft's flagship franchise, Halo Infinite, had a notoriously long and troublesome development, carrying over into its post-launch support and content. Since its launch, multiplayer has been plagued with a severe lack of content, missing social features, and lackluster progression and customization. Regarding its campaign, though, Halo Infinite fared much better, with many critics and fans praising its new open-world direction. However, with reports of 343 Industries canceling any plans for story content, it may serve as the final nail in the coffin for the last remaining hope of Halo Infinite's most redeeming quality.
A flood of news and reports has come out regarding Halo Infinite and, specifically, 343 Industries. With several major tech companies facing layoffs, Microsoft has reportedly seen around 10,000 employees being let go, affecting nearly 100 team members at 343 Industries. Additionally, several key figures at the executive level have recently left their roles, with a couple of the most prominent being Bonnie Ross and Joseph Staten. While fans had hoped for more story content to expand on Halo Infinite's campaign and its world, it appears 343 Industries is instead focused on whatever the next Halo game will be.
Halo Infinite's Campaign Left the Door Wide Open for More Content
Ever since the surprise launch of Halo Infinite's free-to-play multiplayer on November 15, 2021, fans have seemingly been hit with blow after blow. Although Halo Infinite's gameplay is considered to be a return to form for the franchise, most fans agree that it has failed to deliver on its promise of providing a consistent live service. With its lack of prominent series features at launch such as Forge and other features like split-screen campaign co-op being completely scrapped, some argue that it has failed to simply deliver on what makes a good Halo game.
Halo Infinite's campaign, on the other hand, was well-received overall and features an expansive open world while still offering plenty of cinematic moments. Thanks to classic Halo vehicles like the Warthog and Banshee, along with the new grapple shot, the world is not only large but fun to explore as well. Its locations aren't very diverse, though, as the same three environments are repeated: wooded, mountainous outdoors, Banished outposts, and Forerunner architecture. This led many fans to consider the possibilities of new environments that future expansions could add.
Because Halo Infinite's open world is split up into several large areas, it serves as the perfect setup for 343 Industries to add new areas with each new expansion. Certain landmarks are even hinted at within the world, as players can see destroyed Guardians from Halo 5 off in the distance. With the distinctly limited variety of its visuals, further story content could have brought unique locales and environments to the game that build on the foundation of the main campaign.
In addition to the world and its environments, the story of Halo Infinite leaves plenty of room for expansions. For example, players could have played as other Spartans through their experience in the ring before Master Chief arrived. The Endless are a new race only hinted at briefly within the game, which could have offered an entirely new enemy for players to fight. Microsoft even filed for a trademark for the name Halo: The Endless, back when Halo Infinite launched. This may end up becoming the next Halo game, but fans of Infinite had hoped for campaign DLC that dove into this mysterious new race.
The multiplayer component of Halo Infinite has disappointed fans over the course of its first year, but sparks of hope came with the release of Forge and a Customs Browser. The cancelation of the split-screen campaign co-op was a major blow to fans, as the feature is a nostalgic series staple for many. Halo Infinite's campaign could have been the perfect foundation for additional story-driven content, but now it seems that will never happen. Perhaps Halo's reported move to Unreal Engine and 343 Industries' management changes will bode well for the franchise's future.
Halo Infinite is available now on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.